New Suspension Time

[Enigma]

Looking for some suggestions on a new suspension system for my 80, '90 HDJ81 VX LTD.

I'm riding on new 315 75R16 Firestone Destinations, have a lot of additional steel and weight (front bumper and 12k winch, rear bumper with dual swing outs and spare tire, skid plate, sliders, rear drawers, ARB fridge, awning, and roof basket), 1HDT , automagic, and right hand drive.
Looking to keep about the same lift now, which is approx 2-3", on some old sacked out OME springs and shocks.

While I'd love some fancy coil overs with reservoirs, that's probably out of reach. Looking at perhaps some Ironman coils and their foam cell pro series shocks.

 

[bug616]

Deleted

 

[bj70_guy]

Try the Dobinsons... then let me know what you think

 

[AgentOrange]

I ran Dobinsons for a several years before going coilover and 3 link. I had OMEs before any of the 3 Dobinsons I had and was upset I waited so long to change

 

[Enigma]

Try the Dobinsons... then let me know what you think

Debating.... Was thinking Ironmans with the foam cell pro's, but seem to be twice the price of the Dobinsons. Moar research!

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

I switched from OME springs to Dobinsons and I really like them. I also splurged for resi shocks....I even drove my LC down to SLC and had @cruiseroutfit do the work including installing DVS arms for castor correction. Careful...once you start its hard to stop!

 

[bj70_guy]

Jeff, you could email Jason H, he used to sell Ironman and I believe has the 4" kit on his 81. @gofast John M from Peachland has/had the ironman 4" too I believe... and IIRC it was not a slam dunk for him. He's down in utah at the moment though.
However both 4" kits and not the 2.5'-ish you (and I) would be interested in.

I have the big Ironman foam cell pro shocks on my 81 with my emu lift, and they're ok. @Greg_B runs them as well.

Did you ever get an intercooler?

 

[Enigma]

Jeff, you could email Jason H, he used to sell Ironman and I believe has the 4" kit on his 81. @gofast John M from Peachland has/had the ironman 4" too I believe... and IIRC it was not a slam dunk for him. He's down in utah at the moment though.
However both 4" kits and not the 2.5'-ish you (and I) would be interested in.

I have the big Ironman foam cell pro shocks on my 81 with my emu lift, and they're ok. @Greg_B runs them as well.

Did you ever get an intercooler?

Already chatting with the J man. And no to the intercooler... one day

 

[iptman]

Dobinson IMS shocks are really nice. I've been running them for a few years now.

 

[Enigma]

The Dobinsons look interesting, but maybe next time. Going with a 2" Ironman foam cell pro's. Thanks @Cruisin'

 

[TWILLY]

I have Dobinsons rateed for I believe 300 lbs extra load on one 80, and Tourflex rated for I believe 800 lbs extra load on another. The Tourflex, under heavy load, are outstanding. They handle loads capably while smoothing out small bumps and maintaining long travel. I have also run OME, but I wasn't impressed with the ride quality relative to the other two brands, though this may owe to the particular model of springs.

 

[YotaTrail]

I have been debating between dobinson and ironman foam cell ... why or how did you decide on ironman ?

 

[Enigma]

I have been debating between dobinson and ironman foam cell ... why or how did you decide on ironman ?

A few of our 80 gang up here run them and seem to be happy with them, and didn't have to figure out the whysandwherefors of spring rates between the various Dobinson options. Also came with a free air compressor

 

[gofast]

I have had negative experiences with both ironman and dobinsons. Not worth the agro. $$$$$$$$/

Talk to Ben at Slee, explain how you want to use your truck, take the measurements he suggests, then buy exactly what he recommends. Buy it once

 

[CharlieS]

Update: I reread the thread and see that you already decided. Leaving this feedback here for future searchers with similar questions.

I'm running the basic Icon 3" setup, replacing a set of worn out OMEs. I have been happy with their on and offroad handling. They don't ride as well as a high end external reservoir setup (I have king 2.5 on my 200, that are amazing), but for the money, they are better than any of the OME setups I've run (on 3 different 80
series). The Icons are less harsh and more compliant than the OME setup. I got them on sale for black friday (I think they may have a memorial day sale too) for a competitive price.

You didn't ask about this, but the suspension is only one piece of a lift, in my opinion. I also added bump stop extensions front and rear ('mud member made them), ebrake extension (Landtank), longer brake lines (Slee) all around, f/r sway bar drops (Landtank and Metaltech4x4) and caster correction plates (Landtank). I have still have to weld on my Eimketh panhard correction kit brackets (maybe tomorrow if the weather is decent) - I have his kit on the 200 and it is great!

Also, I previously had a low opinion of Icon after reading a lot of Internet posts about breakage and poor customer service experiences. I haven't had either, but I've only had them on for 6 months and haven't needed service.

 

[YotaTrail]

did you end up getting those ironman's yet ? I'm curious since I'm thinking about ordering them